cascade | kotlc

5. Secret Exchange

 "Welcome back," Elwin said, placing a cool compress across her forehead. "You know, for a girl who hates doctors, you sure can't seem to stay away from the Healing Center."

Sophie groaned, trying to sit up. Her muscles were aching, as if she had just backpacked ten miles uphill like her human family used to make her. She wasn't sure if this was normal after getting slamm into a stone wall.

"Easy there. You've been out for nearly ten minutes," Elwin said, flashing orbs on her body. "Though Fitz got it way worse than you. I'm not exactly sure why." He frowned. "Fitz broke a bone, but that was quick enough to heal. But you were completely fine. You only experienced about half the impact he suffered. Any ideas why?"

Sophie leaned against the back wall, breathing heavily. She tried to remember what had happened during the splotching match.

"I... I felt as if the air was... sort of acting like a blanket when I crashed. It took longer for me to hit the wall than Fitz did, though we were in the middle of the amphitheater. I don't know why though. I might be hallucinating. But I promise you it has nothing to do with my... abilities." Sophie said, rubbing her eyebrows. She thought she had a headache, and she tried to blink the pain away. "Where's Fitz? Is he okay?"

"He's fine." Elwin pointed to her left, where Fitz lay in bed with his eyes closed. "He's unconscious, but he'll come around any minute." He turned his attention back to Sophie. "I've never heard of air working as a cushion before," he said slowly, "but I suppose it's possible. Gusters can control wind, though Foxfire hasn't seen one in quite a while. Some splotching match, though."

Fitz stayed quiet as they walked back to the auditorium.

Sophie bit her lip. Was he mad at her? She'd just worked up the courage to ask him when they reached the amphitheater, and a round of applause drowned out the question.

"Yes, yes, welcome back, Fitz and Sophie. Glad to see you're feeling better," Sir Caton said, looking a teensy bit - actually, quite annoyed by the interruption. He tried to call everyone back to order, but Dex, Marella, Biana, Keefe, and her sister broke rank and rushed over to them.

Biana got there first and hugged Fitz so tight he looked like he was strangled. Then her sister arrived and threw her arms around Sophie, burying her head in her shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Sophie, I tried, but I wasn't-"

Sophie cut her off. "Hey," she said gently. "It wasn't your fault, you couldn't have helped. Fitz and I are fine now." June stared at her.

"You didn't feel it? God, I feel horrible, I'm so sorry Sophie," she sobbed. "I wasn't strong enough to help."

"Look, sis, I don't know what you're talking about, but it's not your fault, okay?" Sophie said, tilting June's chin to look her in the eyes. "It's not your fault. You're still amazing, and I'm totally fine. No injuries sustained," she promised.

June wiped away a tear.

Keefe copied Biana and grabbed Fitz, pretending to cry. That got a strangled laugh from June and Fitz shoved them both away, blushing, but also looking at June worriedly.

"Beaten by a Level Two," Keefe said, elbowing Fitz in the ribs.

"It was a tie," Sophie protested.

Marella snorted. "Please, you totally kicked his butt. He got propelled way faster than you did from the collision, did you feel that?" June flinched.

"Totally," Dex agreed. "He hit the wall way harder than you did. That was the greatest present you could have ever given me, by the way," he whispered.